Folding sectional table with paired legs



Jan. 18, 1955 c, MUGLER 2,699,978

FOLDING SECTIONAL TABLE WITH PAIRED LEGS Original Filed March 26, 1951 llmlllill.

no 46 6 INVENTOR.

CHARLES M .Muase Arr-012w Y.

United States Patent FOLDING SECTIONAL TABLE WITH PAIRED LEGS Charles M. Mugler, North Hollywood, Calif.

Original application March 26, 1951, Serial No. 217,427,

now Patent No. 2,650,146, dated August 25, 1953. Divided and this application August 27, 1952, Serial No. 306,527

3 Claims. (Cl. 311-92) This invention relates to tables, and particularly to a table of the foldable type adapted to be collapsed into a relatively fiat form for storage purposes. Specifically, the invention pertains to a table structure which is adapted to be folded into a wall recess. The present application is a division of application Serial No. 217,427, filed March 26, 1951, entitled Folding Table Construction, now Patent 2,650,146.

Relatively long narrow tables are used extensively 111 the cafeterias of schools and in rooms of other buildings where it is necessary to seat groups of people. In some instances, it is desirable that such tables be removed from the floor to make the room available for purposes other than dining. For example, it has been found advantageous to make school cafeteria rooms available for use as gymnasiums, assembly halls for academic and social gatherings, etc., such rooms thus serving a multiple purpose. It is, of course, extremely difiicult to remove conventional dining tables from a cafeteria or other room since a very large storage space must be provided for receiving the tables, even when they are stacked.

In an etfort to overcome this problem, it has been proposed in the past to provide collapsible tables which are foldable into recesses in the walls of the cafeteria or other room. Such a table comprises a pair of table top members or leaves which are hinged together intermediate the ends of the table to adapt them to be folded flat against each other, the members when so folded together being nested within a wall recess, one member forming a flush continuation of the wall surface. Such a table construction and arrangement serves the purpose for which it is designed, that is, to provide a convenient means by which tables can be removed from a floor to make the entire room area available for purposes other than dining. However, since the table is permanently connected to the wall, it is limited for use only in a predetermined fixed position on the floor. That is to say, since the table is connected to the wall it may be applied to use only at a definite location adjacent the wall.

It frequently occurs that other arrangements of the tables within the. room may be desired as, for example, when the grouping of tables is necessary for banquets, for displaying articles, etc. As pointed, out above, such movement of the prior foldable tables is impossible for the reason that the tables are permanently connected to the walls. In addition, such tables are devoid of legs at their ends which are connected to the walls so that even if the tables were demountable from the walls their disconnected ends would be unsupported by legs and would fall against the floor. Stated another way, such prior fold-able tables are complete only when attached to a wall, and it is impossible to utilize them apart from the wall.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate the deficiencies of'prior folda'ble tables discussed above by providing a foldable table which is adapted for use either in connection with a wall, into which the table is foldable,

'or as a separate entity apart from the wall, both ends of the table, as well as the central portion thereof, being supported at all times by legs provided for this purpose.

Another object is to provide a foldable table having a pair of top sections hinged together transversely of the table and intermediate the ends thereof, and legs pivotally connected at the ends and adjacent the hinge connection between the two table sections. A related object is to provide means for maintaining all three longitudinallyspaced pairs of legs vertical in all positions of the foldable sections, that is, when the table sections are in open, co-

extensive position, in completely folded side-by-side relationship, and in all intermediate part-folded positions. This desirable object is attained by providing means for automatically controlling the central pair of legs to maintain it in position to bisect the angle existing between the foldable table sections, and connecting means extending between the central, vertical pair of legs and the legs disposed at the ends of the table, the connecting means being so arranged that all the legs are maintained in parallelism and thus perpendicular to the floor.

Another object is to provide a foldable table structure in which the end legs are hinged at points spaced inwardly from the ends of the table a distance approximately equal the length of the legs so that the legs are completely enclosed and concealed by the table sections when the latter are in fully closed relationship.

A still further object is to provide a foldable table and frame structure which is of relatively simple construction, economical to manufacture, strong and durable in use, attractive in appearance, and a table which is especially easy to fold into and unfold from the frame, and to move along a floor.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and from the drawings, which are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table construction, showing it unfolded and extending from the wall;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the table, showing it being folded into or unfolded from a wall recess.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the present improved folding table 10 is adapted for use either in connection with a wall 11 of a cafeteria, auditorium, or other building, as shown in Fig. 1, or by itself, that is, apart from the Wall as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The table 10, which is identical with that disclosed in my pending application referred to above, includes a pair of top sections 15 and 16 which are preferably, although not necessarily, made from plywood and have a plastic or other hard, heat-resistant and mar-proof surface. The

table sections are reinforced and made more rigid by means of longitudinally and transversely extending strips and cleats 17 and 18. Referring to Fig. 2, the inner ends of the top sections 15 and 16 have angular hinge brackets 20 and 21 secured thereto by suitable means, the hinge brackets having downwardly projecting portions 21' which are pivotally connected by a hinge pin or rod 22 extending transversely of the table, it being noted that the hinge pin is disposed below the plane of the table top. By this hinge connection, the top sections 15 and 16 are adapted to be folded into a substantially parallel, sideby-side relation and to be unfolded to the fully open or coextensive relation shown in Fig. 1.

Secured against the under side of the top section 15 at a substantial distance from the free end thereof is a pair of hinge brackets 25 to which is pivoted a first leg means 26. The leg means includes vertical legs 27 connected by a cross-bar 28, the upper ends of the legs being pivoted to the brackets. A second leg means 30, comprising legs 27 and a cross-bar 28, is similarly pivoted to hinge brackets 31 carried by the other top section 16. A third leg means 33 is disposed at the center of the table and includes a pair of legs 34 which are connected by a cross-bar 35, the upper ends of the legs being pivotally connected to the hinge pin or rod 22.

Positioning means are provided for maintaining the leg means 26, 30, and 33 in vertical position, regardless of the relative positions of the table top sections 15 and 16. This means includes a pair of slide elements or collars 37 which are slidably mounted on the central legs 34. Pivotally connected between pins 38 on the slide elements 37 and transverse pins 39 on the hinge brackets 20 and 21 are link elements 40. By this means, the leg means 33 is maintained vertical, that is, it is caused to assume a position in which it bisects the included angle between the sections and to lie parallel to the sections when the latter are completely folded together. Connecting links 42 and 43 are pivotally connected between the cross-bar 35 and the respective cross-bars 28 of the leg means 26 and 30. The links 42 and 43 define, with the sections 15, 16, and legs 27, 34, parallelograrns which maintain the legs 27 "parallel to the legs 34, that is, in a vertical position. The legs 27, 34 and connecting links 42, 43. are preferably. made. tubular, and 1 these components, in addition to the hardware therefor, are prefer ably chromium plated to enhance the appearance of the" table and'resist corrosion. It is intended that the present foldingtable be movable along a floor, and for'the pur-' pose of facilitating such movement the legs are provided with'roller means in the form of casters 46.

Assumingthat the table is in unfolded condition, that is,- with its top sections and 16 coplanar as shown inFig. 1, although detached'frornthe wall 11, the table' table may be readily moved to selected locations by simply rolling it along the floor;

When use'of the table is nolonger required, it may be stored for futureuse. Inorder to conserve-storage space, the table-may be .reducedto relatively small compass by simply folding its sections 15 and 16' together. The folding of the sections is readilyaccomplished by raising the'central portion" of the'table, that is, at the central hinge22, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be observed by reference to'this view that the 'legs 27 and 34 remain vertical during such folding of the sections and that the legs 27 of the'sections roll toward each other; Eventually, the sections '15and '16 are caused to assume a parallel relation with the several legs disposed'therebetween and parallel to'the sections. The table thus is reduced to one-half its original length and maybe stored in this foldedcondition in'upright position, or a number of the tables may be stacked; one "uponanother. When a table is to be again-"set up' for use, it "is unfolded by simply reversing th'e'procedure outlined above.

It has been stated that the present table is adapted .for useinconnection with a support member suchlas-a wall ofra -roomr Unlike' other previously proposedltables which are permanently connected to a wallandfoldable.

intoxa recess "thereof; the instant table, while-foldable' into a wall recess, is disconnectiblefrom the .wall so that.

it may beused either in aposition wherein it extends from th'e' wa'llorat selected positions in the room. To adapt. thetableito be folded into the wall- 11,Zthe latter and.

the table "may' be equipped with .wall .recess. cabinets and 1 5O cooperating ;m'eans asin Patent 2,650,146;

Tablessuch'as that illustrated and described. herein: are

employedi in most instances in school lcafeterias, benches.

being provided on which the children maybe .seatedalong;

thesides'ofthetable, such tables and lbenches being of: a length. to accommodate approximately tenchildren ateach side'of the table. Srichfbenches may -be=smaller but of"exactly thesame folding constructionuas theatable disclosed herein and foldableintoa similarrframer It .will be observed from the description givenhereinabove that the present 1 invention provides a simple and eifectlveconstruction of tables andibencheswapable of:

seatingjlargegroups of persons in :any selected arranges ment'm'an'auditorium or other. large.:room.. When-it is': necessary to clear the floor, the-tables .andlbench'es.

can'sbe easily folded-and rolled'into. wal-lrecesses-or separate storage rooms, tabl'es and benches stacked together oron top 'ofione another and thereby take up valuable floorspace.

The presenttable-bench combination .is designed. for unlimited versatility, the table. and benches .being individually, and independently operated'andfnot assembled. together "as -a-un1t. The 'tablesand benches canbeinastantly' unlockedfrom the cabinet and rolledlab'out as desired, permitting 1' functional arrangements .and alll day multi uses,"whichtis an important feature in .schools.

Such versatility is "attributed to the fact that thetables andibenches are not permanently,fastened'tolhe walls but rather "are individually -removable .from. then-wall cabq inets and rolled about for unlimited groupv arrangements I cla1mas 'my invention:

It is: not necessary to leave :the

1. A foldable table comprising in combination: a pair of "top sections; hinge means pivotally connecting ad jacent end edges of said sections and including a pivotal connection beneath said adjacent edges for folding movement of said sections from a coplanar extended relation with said end edges adjacent to a substantially parallel side by side relation; a pivot connection on eachsection adjacent to said pivoted end edges; a first leg means pivoted to one of said top sections adjacent to the freeen'dth'ereof; a second leg means pivoted to the other ofsaid top sections adjacent to the free end thereof; a third leg means pivotally mounted on said-hinge means at said pivotal connection beneath said adjacent end edges; connecting link means pivotally connected between said third leg means and each of said first and second leg means at points spaced equidistantly from said sections, said link means, said leg means, and said sections providing pivotally connected parallelogram means; and positioning means operatively connected between said third leg means and each of said sections and'com prising linkseach having one end pivotally connectedtoa collaron said'third leg means and theother end connected'to said pivotal connection adjacent to said end edges whereby saidpositi'o'ning means is operativeto' maintain said third leg'means vertical at all positions of-' said sections and is operative to hold saidparallelogram' means against collapse when said sections are in'coplanar extended relation:

2. A foldable-table as defined in'claim 1 in which said first,.secondand third leg means each includesa pair oftransversely' spaced legs connected by' a crossbar, said connecting link means being pivotally connected cen-- trally of the crossbarof said third leg means and the crossbars of eachof said first and second leg means.

3; A'foldabletable comprising in combination: a pair of top sections; hinge-means for pivotally connecting edges of said sections for folding movement from a coplanar extended relation with the pivoted edges adjacent to a substantially parallel side by side relation; a first leg" means pivoted to one of said top sections adjacent to the free-end thereof; a" second leg means pivoted to the other of'said top sections adjacent to the free end there of; a third leg'means pivotally mounted on said hinge means connecting said sections; connecting-link means pivotally connected between said third leg means and eachzof said first and second leg means at points dis-- posed equidistantly from said sections; said connecting link means, leg means, andsections providing two pivotally. connected parallelogram means; and positioning means *for maintaining said third leg means vertical l at all positions of said sections and'for holding said parallelogram means against collapse when s'aidsections are in coplanan'extended relation, said positioning means in cluding a slide element slidable on said third leg means and a link element-pivotally connected at one end to said' slide element and at its other end to the pivot connection of a hinge means of a top section adjacent to said pivoted edges;

References Cited in the file-of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 586,112 Beloin' July-'13, 1897' 925,397 Snyder June-15', 1909- l,185,-7'59 Dupont et al. Iiine-6,"1916* 1,272,983 Menzo July 16," 1918 l,527,941 Weidner Feb. 24, 1925 1,576,034 Butt Mar. 9, 1926- 1,-611,391 Teich Dec. 21, 1926 1,948,738 Thayer Feb. 27,'l934-'- 2,131,675 Schieber Sept. 27, 1938 2,158,950 Swett May 16,1939 2,203,394 Schieber June 4, 1940 2,226,735 Miller et a1 Dec; 31, 1940 2,514,319 Erickson July- 4-, 1950' 2,521,547 Simonowitz' Sept. 5; 1950.1 2,545,064 Alch' Mar; 13, 195.1- 2,546,323 Taylor Mar. 27', 1951 

